Squad Announcement

SQUAD TO FACE MACEDONIA AND THE NETHERLANDS

George Burley today named a 25 man squad for the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Qualifiers against Macedonia and The Netherlands:

Goalkeepers

Neil Alexander

Rangers

Craig Gordon

Sunderland

David Marshall

Cardiff City

Defenders

Darren Barr

Falkirk

Christophe Berra

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Gary Caldwell*

Celtic

Steven Caldwell

Burnley

Callum Davidson

Preston North End

Alan Hutton

Tottenham Hotspur

Jamie McAllister

Bristol City

Stephen McManus

Celtic

David Weir

Rangers

Steven Whittaker

Rangers

Midfielders

Graham Alexander

Burnley

Scott Brown

Celtic

Kris Commons

Derby County

Darren Fletcher

Manchester United

Paul Hartley

Bristol City

James McFadden

Birmingham City

Shaun Maloney

Celtic

Forwards

David Clarkson

Bristol City

Steven Fletcher

Burnley

Kevin Kyle

Kilmarnock

Kenny Miller

Rangers

Steven Naismith

Rangers

*suspended for match with FYR Macedonia

KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2009

Our Kirin Challenge Cup 2009 match against Japan at the Nissan Stadium, Yokohama on Saturday 10th October will kick-off at 7.20pm (Japan time). Japan is 8 hours ahead of the UK, so the match will kick-off at 11.20am UK time.

MOTHERWELL AND MANCHESTER UNITED TO COMPETE IN MATCH TO RECOGNISE A TRUE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEGEND – SIR MATT BUSBY

2009 marks the 100th year anniversary of Sir Matt Busby's birth and Lanarkshire is commemorating this with a match between Motherwell FC and Manchester United at Fir Park on Sunday 6th September, the day after the Macedonia game.

As the match will be taking place on an international weekend there will be a number of players on international duty however this will ensure that the Manchester United squad is reflective of the squad that Sir Matt was so famous for – The Busby Babes, with the squad expected to feature a number of Manchester United’s aspiring young players.

All profits from the Sir Matt Busby Shield will be directed into the Sir Matt Busby Scholarship programme. This scholarship is being created by both North & South Lanarkshire Councils and will be used to allow the Lanarkshire community to take the first steps in emulating Sir Matt by providing free coach education programmes.

Sir Alex Ferguson provided his support of the match by saying: “Manchester United is delighted that Lanarkshire, the area where Sir Matt Busby was born 100 years ago, has decided to honour him by the introduction of a scholarship scheme in his memory. Manchester United’s status in world football is rooted in the achievements of Sir Matt in bringing domestic and European glory to the club and in doing so in the face of one of the greatest tragedies experienced by any club in the history of the game. Sir Matt Busby will always be revered by this club and his memory will always be cherished by those millions who support Manchester United across the globe. It is fitting therefore that the club should participate in the forthcoming friendly fixture with Motherwell FC which has, as its singular purpose, the raising of funds to support the work of Lanarkshire in establishing the Sir Matt Busby Scholarship Fund.”

In addition to his achievements at Manchester United, Sir Matt also joined a long list of Lanarkshire men who have worn the national jersey, a list that includes Davie Cooper, Gary McAllister, Jimmy Johnstone and Ally McCoist, and an even more exclusive club of men who have managed the side. He joined Walter Smith, Craig Brown and the great Jock Stein in achieving this honour.

Lanarkshire is extending an invitation to attend this match to all Scotland Supporters Club members and invite you to visit www.visitlanarkshire.com/sirmattbusby for more information about the match.

Tickets for this historic match are attractively priced at £12 for adults, £6 for children and £20 for families (1 x adult and 2 x children).

TARTAN MARCH UPDATE

The Tartan Marchers are almost 2 weeks into their incredible walk from Oslo back to Hampden. They were overwhelmed by the generosity of Scotland fans in Norway who donated a total of £950 towards their £5000 target to be donated to the Tartan Army Children's Charity and Scottish Huntington's Association. They still need to raise around £3600 to reach their goal. They arrive back in Scotland on Friday to start the next leg of their journey.

Please support their amazing efforts by donating whatever you can or sending them messages of support to show that we are all behind them. To do this, please visit their pages on www.scottishfa.co.uk/supporters